City of Takoma Park, MD Class Specification

JOB SUMMARY AND DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE WORK

Under general supervision, patrols City streets; enforces local, state and federal laws; maintains law and order and protects life, property and deter crime.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Customer Service

Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands all City services, maintains pleasant and professional image. Anticipates, monitors and meets the needs of internal and external customers and responds to them in an appropriate manner. Continually seeks to provide the highest quality service to all customers. Listens carefully when dealing with the public and communicates concern through tone of voice and by taking action to solve their problems in a timely manner. Complies with the City’s Customer Service Policy, including 24-hour response time for telephone calls and e-mails. Explains departmental and City issues to the public in a manner that demonstrates interest and concern for their problems. Listens well, diffuses conflict before it starts, finds causes of and solutions to problems, handles difficult people.

Communication

Communicates well both verbally and in writing when required, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, has good listening skills. Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts. Demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts. Keeps key employees informed regarding relevant information. Shares information with other members of the team to foster teamwork and to further attainment of the City’s goals. Written and oral information is presented in a manner that projects a positive and professional image of the City.

Reports problems, concerns, issues that should be corrected. Readily shares information and ensures that team members are kept informed and up-to-date. Establishes team and individual accountability for goals, objectives and outcomes. Intervenes as necessary to identify and resolve conflict among team members. Makes conscious and deliberate efforts to build team spirit and identity.

Job Knowledge

Understands duties and responsibilities, has necessary technical skills, understands the City’s mission/values, keeps job knowledge current. Demonstrates the appropriate level of proficiency in the principles and practices of one’s field or profession. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, including the understanding and application of technology where appropriate. Operates within the organization's formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across departments, uses allies to build consensus and create results, is appropriately diplomatic, understands others' roles and perspectives, can sell projects and ideas across the organization. Adapts to change, is open to new ideas, takes on new responsibilities, handles pressure, adjusts plans to meet changing needs. Prioritizes well and reacts to opportunities. Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence, looks for improvements continuously, monitors quality levels, finds root cause of quality problems, owns/acts on quality problems.

ROLE COMPETENCIES

Decision Making/Judgment

Recognizes problems and responds, systematically gathers information, sorts through complex issues, seeks input from others, addresses root cause of issues, makes timely decisions, can make difficult decisions, uses consensus when possible, communicates decisions to others. Knows when to notify and/or involve the department head or the City Manager prior to making a decision.

While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, speak and hear, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.

Working Conditions

While performing the essential functions of this position the employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

While performing the essential functions of this position the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock, work in high precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, and work with explosives.

Exposure to unknown and dangerous conditions such as intoxicated or violent arrestees and life threatening situation such as armed and/or violent arrestees.

Occasional exposure of work time to hazardous situations which involve armed or physically violent persons, or interviewing mentally or emotionally disturbed persons.

Occasional exposure of work time to communicable and infectious diseases.

Working time may require irregular hours and shift times.

The incumbent's working conditions are typically moderately quiet.

At emergency scene, the incumbent's working conditions may be moderately loud.

file: Police Private First Class

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.